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"Windows protected your PC" / SmartScreen prompt due to executable not being digitally signed #511

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orca43 opened this issue Mar 3, 2025 · 3 comments
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C: Low-level issue An issue related to GameMaker packaging or system-level behavior

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@orca43
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orca43 commented Mar 3, 2025

I downloaded the program but Windows closed it and said it was "protecting my PC".

@CreeperPookie
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I would guess this is probably because the executable isn't signed, which windows isn't a big fan of; However, if you click more info then run anyway (as shown by the below stock image) the NBS installer should work fine :D
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@Bentroen
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Bentroen commented Mar 6, 2025

Thanks for reporting the issue!
As @CreeperPookie mentioned, it's an issue with the distribution of the app, not within the source code, since the executable isn't digitally signed.
We're looking into options to mitigate this in the future. I'll be closing this for now as it requires a deeper change in the process of packaging and shipping the app, so it's not in the scope handled by this project's issue board.

From the FAQ over on Discord:

The reason Windows doesn't trust the program is that the executable isn't digitally signed. Signing an executable involves acquiring a digital certificate, emitted by some regulating authority, that proves that the program you're trying to run comes from a reputable vendor (in this case, that the copy of Note Block Studio you're trying to run indeed comes from the NBS developers).
This process, however, can cost hundreds of dollars, and as we currently don't earn any amount from developing the project, it's not a viable option for us at the moment. As such, Windows warns that the program could pose a threat to your machine, since it's not able to verify if it comes from a reputable source.
That being said, Note Block Studio is used daily by thousands of people and its entire codebase is available for inspection on GitHub, so rest assured it's completely safe to use. :)

@Bentroen Bentroen closed this as not planned Won't fix, can't repro, duplicate, stale Mar 6, 2025
@Bentroen Bentroen changed the title Reported as hack "Windows protected your PC" / SmartScreen prompt due to executable not being digitally signed Mar 6, 2025
@Bentroen Bentroen added the C: Low-level issue An issue related to GameMaker packaging or system-level behavior label Mar 6, 2025
@Bentroen
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Bentroen commented Mar 6, 2025

Actually - it might be useful to keep this open as a reminder for us, and also a notice for people who happen to find this issue.

@Bentroen Bentroen reopened this Mar 6, 2025
@orca43 orca43 closed this as completed Mar 8, 2025
@OpenNBS OpenNBS deleted a comment from orca43 Mar 8, 2025
@Bentroen Bentroen reopened this Mar 8, 2025
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Labels
C: Low-level issue An issue related to GameMaker packaging or system-level behavior
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